INTRODUCTION

Significance of knowledge in general and Islamic knowledge in particular has been well-documented by the Holy Quran and the divinely-appointed infallible guides (a.s.)
Allah in His Holy Book says,
"Let them devote themselves to studies in religion and admonish their comrades when they return to them so that they may guard themselves against evil." (Surah Taubah (9): Verse 121).

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.), in order to stress upon the absolute necessity of acquiring knowledge said, "I would rather like my companions to be flogged on their heads so that they may (be compelled to) acquire religious knowledge."

In another tradition Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) has said, "Acquire knowledge of religious jurisprudence. Any one among you who does not become efficient in religious jurisprudence is a rustic."